*S£ 



THE AMERICAN SPORTSMAN'S JOURNAL. 



Terms. Fonr Dollars a Tear. I 

 Ten Cents a Copy. f 



NEW YORK, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1877- 



( Volume 9.— No. 9, 

 lNo. Ill Fulton St., N. V. 



A VINTAGE SONG. 



/^NCE more the year its fullness pours 

 ^ To clicer the heart of toll; 

 Once more we talco with gratitude 



The blessing of the soil. 

 I hear the children laugh and sing, 



They pull the grapes together; 

 And gladness breatheB from everything 



In this October weather. 



The winter days were long and dart, 



The spring was alow to come 7 

 And summer storms brought fear and doubt 



To many an hnmble home. 

 But rain and sunshine had their will 



And wrought their work together, 

 And see ! we heap our baskets still, 



In this October weather. 



My heart has had its winter, too, 



And lain full bare and gray ; 

 T did not think a spring would come. 



Much less a summer day. 

 How little did I dream that life 



Would bring us two together, 

 And I should be a happy wife 



In this October weather ! 



Doubtless the frostB will come again, 



And some sweet hopes must die ; 

 But we shall bear the passing pain, 



And smile as well as sigh— 

 Nor let us cloud with fears of ill 



Tliia golden hour together ; 

 .For God is in His garden still 



In this October weather. 



E. D. R. Bllnciakdi jit Scrilmer'sfor Octolw. 



\pnih ^nupjimn ^en\inwtei{un. 



Third. Paper. 



A VISIT was made to the magniflcient retreat for the in- 

 . sane, known as the Hospital Dom Pedro Segundo, in 

 the beautiful suberb of Botafogo, upon the small bay of the 

 same name. It is difficult to imagine an edifice more appro- 

 priate for the purpose to which it is devoted. Cleanliness and 

 cheerfulness seemed to be the order in this charity, and the 

 Classification of patients unexcelled. In furniture, attendance, 

 intents, etc., it surpasses the most celebrated of North- 

 istitutions. Imperial regulations are very strict, and the 

 modes of reporting and journaling cases very thorough. 

 The day following this visit the United States and Brazilian 

 earner arrived from New York, and all hands were the 

 recipients of letters and papers from home, which were eagerly 

 devoured. As eager an interest was taken in providing answers 

 to the missives from loved ones at home, for the same 

 steamer that bore them also brought orders for us to proceed 

 ml delay to Monte Video, and there report to Bear Ad- 

 miral Chas. H. Davis, for duty in the South Atlantic Squadron, 

 and on the Plata if necessary. 

 The mail steamer also brought news of the earthquake that 

 id in the harbor of St. Thomas on the lSth of November, 

 Mich she had escaped by being delayed one day in sail- 

 im New York; she arriving the 19th. Three of our naval 

 vessels, the Susquehanna, Admiral Palmer's Flag-ship, De 

 Soto, and the Monongahela were in the harbor. The Susque- 

 hanna escaped without damage, but the De Soto was swept 

 Iter anchorage by the violence of the waves, both her 

 I heavy chains breaking, and was thrown violently upon the 

 ■T piles of a new wharf , but the next wave released her, 

 carrying the ship into deep water, she sustaining no serious 

 The Monongahela, anchored off Frederickstadt, 

 was carried by the wave over the ware- 



I houses and into one of the streets of the town. The returning 

 sea deposited her upon a coral reef at the water's edge. Only 

 five of the lives on board were lost, and, more wonderful, the 

 herself sustained but little injury. She was relaunched 

 t the following May, and sailed for New York. The devastation 

 &t St, Thomas was fearful; the shore was strewn with wrecks, 

 many small craft were hurled high and dry upon the 

 Others were sunk, their upper spars appearing as monu- 

 to the coffins which they had become, while those that 

 absolute wreck lay at anchor battered as though hav- 



ing passed through a severe naval engagement. The ware- 

 houses were turned into deadhouses and hospitals, where hun- 

 dreds of bodies lay awaiting identification. The buildings 

 suffered terribly, blinds, balconies, roofs, awnings and decora- 

 tive adjuncts were destroyed, and the streets obstructed with 

 the debris. Even the lighthouse was destroyed, and the bar- 

 racks, where were quartered the troops of His Most August 

 Majesty, the King of Denmark, was gutted, the roof soaring 

 away over the town. Had it not been for the shelter afforded 

 by the semi-circle of high hills that surround the town the de- 

 struction must have been complete. The commander of a 

 Spanish Corvett exhibited great presence of mind, cutting 

 away his masts at the very outset, and traversed the harbor 

 under full head of steam rendering every assistance possible. 

 Among other public departments visited by us before our 

 departure was the post-office. The Brazilian mode of delivery 

 is certainly unique; the mail is sorted into heaps alphabetically, 

 but by the given name instead of the surname. These are 

 then arranged on counters in apartments, to which a certain 

 number of individuals are admitted at a time, who sort out 

 their own mail and retire, making room for others. 



No one should leave Rio without visiting the custom house 

 where all is life and bustle. The vast warehouses have an ex- 

 tended water front, with all the conveniences necessary for 

 landing goods under cover, which, when once out of the light- 

 ers — vessels are not allowed at the quays — are rapidly stored 

 in their respective departments until released by a requisition 

 of due form. The handling of the enormous quantities of 

 goods is faciliated by a network of iron tramways extending 

 to all parts of the buildings. At three in the afternoon, the 

 hour of closing, the Bua Direita presents a busy scene, being 

 blocked by the crowd of clerks and negro porters whose shrill 

 voices and ludicrous attempts to be the first served, provoke 

 the mirth of the spectator, while around the large gate, pianos 

 and agricultural implements, boxes and hampers, bales and 

 casks, wine pipes and bundles of cordage are jumbled into an 

 incongruous mass. Fifteen minutes later all has vanished, 

 and this portion of the street is as silent as if a funeral were 

 in progress. 



The Capital is well provided with educational facilities. 

 Besides the public schools and numerous academies there is the 

 Imperial Academy of Medicine with unsurpassed facilities for 

 the student, while the college of Dom Pedro H. ranks with it in 

 facilities for the study of literature and the arts. Here too 

 are the Military and Naval Acadamies and the St. Joseph 

 Theological Seminary. At San Paulo and Pernambuco are 

 the Law Colleges, which have a high reputation. 



For the scientific medical man Rio presents better advan- 

 tages than any American city, and here are men whose emi- 

 nence in Europe caused thein to be sought out and tempted to 

 Brazil by the advantages offered by the Imperial government. 

 Besides these institutions there are a number of associations 

 and societies for the diffusion of knowledge and the advance- 

 ment of science. 



The Biblwtlieca Nad/mal contains upwards of one hundred 

 thousand volumes, a large share of which were brought to 

 Brazil by Dom John VI., from Portugal at the time of his 

 flight from the advancing columns of Marshal Junot, whose 

 vanguard reached the heights of Lisbon as the fleet, with that 

 self-exiled Prince was leaving the Tagus. This library has 

 been increased largely by purchase and also numerous private 

 benefactions, notably that of the late Jose Bonifacio de An- 

 drada, Prime Minister during the reign of Dom Pedro I. This 

 is rich in the classics and ancient literature. 



An Imperial Academy of fine arts was founded by decree 

 of the National Assembly in 1824, and is well supplied as to 

 faculty, and furnishes instruction in painting, drawing, archi- 

 tecture, sculpture and design. The annual attendance is in the 

 neighborhood of one hundred. The academy also provides 

 for the support of a number of its most meritorous alumni 

 who may choose to study ancient and modern art in Europe. 

 A Conservatorio de Miisim has been established by the State, 

 where instruction is given to both sexes in vocal or instru- 

 mental music, and also a Conservatorio dramatico. I have 

 before mentioned the extraordinary musical talents exhibited 

 by the Brazilians, and in connection with the foregoing this 

 leads me to speak of the Opera. 



In Brazil the Opera is supported by the government and 

 rivals in properties, artistes and appointments those of Europe. 

 Here Ristori obtained laurels before coming to America, and 



Gottschalk, Jenny Lind, Patti ^and Rachel have delighted the 

 the Brazilians. Sunday night is the great opera night, and then 

 the house is filled with the beauty and nobility of the Capital, 

 and the display of toilets and diamonds is dazzling to the be- 

 holder. Gentlemen are not admitted unless in full evening 

 dress. 



Of societies there are the Imperial Agriculture, the statistic 

 cal, the Auxiliadoraand the Brazilian Historical Geographical 

 Institute. All enroll many public spirited men and no- 

 tables of the Empire. The latter excedes in point of numbers 

 and in talent ; its meetings are largely attended, and the most 

 punctual of its members is His Majesty, Dom Pedro U. A 

 quarterly is published giving the proceedings of the Institute 

 at length, and containing a valuable collection of articles. 



The National Museum is open to visitors without charge, 

 and from appearances well patronized. Here is a rich col- 

 lection of weapons, dresses, etc., of the aboriginal tribes of 

 Brazil, and a collection of native ores and geological specimens. 

 Sunday we attended High Mass at the Imperial Chapel j 

 the music was grand, the organ being assisted by a full mili- 

 tary band, and the anthems were most impressive. After 

 mass we took gondola to the Botanical Garden, passing 

 through the suburb of Botafogo and under the shadow of Cor- 

 covado. The streets were filled with slaves, some nearly nude, 

 others tricked with ribbons, handkerchiefs and bright colors. 

 One is struck with the diversity of features among the slaves; 

 showing representatives of a greater number of African tribes 

 than are encountered at home. In strong contrast with the 

 jolly, ever-grinning Congo we see the stately Minas of haughty 

 bearing, statuesque poses, superbly moulded limb and graceful 

 forms. The Mina is very strong, a perfect Hercules in strength, 

 and may be seen carrying upon his head burdens that four 

 men at home would consider heavy. It is said that they are 

 of the religon of Islam, and all speak and write Arabic 

 readily. From their proud demeanor, flashing eyes and studied 

 reticence, one would suppose they were hardly the material 

 to make slaves of. The gentleman who owns a Mina always 

 treats him with consideration. More than usually intelligent, 

 many early obtain their freedom, and become useful citizens. 

 Such are the facilities for emancipation in Brazil that no ne- 

 gro need remain a slave unless he chooses, and on regaining 

 his freedom his rise in the world and in society is only hunted 

 by his qualifications. 



Arriving at the Garden we enter the avenue of the Palms 

 Real, as unique as it is beautiful. Each palm is but the coun- 

 terpart of the next, straight and firm as marble pillars, and 

 rising to a height of eighty feet. Beyond is seen the rolling 

 sea, while the lofty mountains cast their shadows to assist the 

 arboraceous shade. The walks are winding, and overhung 

 with trees. Here may be seen the North American maple, the 

 South Sea Island breadfruit, sandal wood from Marquesas", 

 tea plants from China and Japan, camphor, cinnamon, pepper 

 and cloves from Ceylon, but lacking the fragrance they shed 

 when on their native soil. Oranges, mangoes, miamosas and 

 olives overhang every walk, and the croton and plantain cast 

 in every coppice the deep umbrage of their forest gloom. At 

 one side a silver streamlet dashes down the steep side of the 

 Corcovado, and near by is a mound crowned with an arbor vi- 

 tse turned bower. Not far distant stands a nunnery where in 

 former times, it is said, husbands departing on a journey were 

 wont to incarcerate their wives. 



Sunday is a day of pleasure in Rio, and is devoted to amuse- 

 ments, balls, theatres and military parades. Foreign merchants 

 usually close their places of business, but the natives make as 

 great display as on week days. We obeyed the old proverb, 

 "When in Rome do as the Romans do," and spent our last 

 evening at the opera. Returning at ten, we found the streets 

 as deserted as those of a New England village at midnight, 

 except here and there some poor slave scurrying home as fast as 

 his heels woidd carry him, fearful lest the hour should strike 

 and he fall into the hands of the police; for if not housed by 

 ten he is arrested and committed to the calibooee until bis 

 master ransoms him by a smart fine. The law is very strict 

 in this particular. The same rule is not appbed to freedmen j 

 yet one would think it equally in force without regard to 

 class or^caste, for the Brazilian himself practices the old saw 

 of " early to bed and early to rise." 



Seated in the Btern sheets of the cutter that was bearing as 

 swiftly over the bosom of the placid Nitherhoi to our ship, 

 many and regretful were the glances thrown back upon the 



